Rippa says it’s China’s largest manufacturer of mini excavators — and now the company aims to expand in the North American market with its lineup of low-cost machines.
Mini excavators are the second-highest selling category of equipment in the U.S., with more than 32,000 new financed units sold from May 2025 to April 2026, according to Fusable’s latest EDA data. Rippa will be up against well-established brands like Cat, Kubota, Deere and Bobcat — but it plans to challenge them head on with prices that are “30% to 40% less than equivalent Japanese or American models,” while providing “comparable specs, longer warranties and lower operating costs.”
Rippa’s flagship 3.2-ton R32 Pro, designed for light construction, landscaping and agricultural applications, took center stage at the company’s ConExpo 2026 booth. The model ranges in price from $22,000 to $28,000.
The zero tailswing excavator is powered by a 24.4-horsepower Kubota diesel engine. It features a reinforced arm and boom structure for “confident digging power,” while the chassis has been optimized to improve balance and control during demanding tasks, the company says. The R32 Pro can dig down to 5 feet 1 inch and has a maximum digging radius of 13 feet 9 inches.
Powered byIt is available with open ROPS or an enclosed cabin with optional air conditioning. Additional features include a lift-up front window with an integrated washer and wiper, a sun visor, LED work light, mirrors, an emergency window break hammer and a fire extinguisher.
[Your Next Read: Getting the Max Out of the Mini: Compact Excavator Buyer’s Guide 2026]
Other mini excavators on display included:
R06 ECO
- Operating Weight: 1,647 lb
- Engine: Kubota Z482
- Max. Dig Radius: 8 ft. 5 in.
- Max. Dig Depth: 3 ft. 3 in.
R10 ECO
- Operating Weight: 2,500 lb
- Engine: Kubota Z482
- Max. Dig Radius: 10 ft. 7 in.
- Max. Dig Depth: 6 ft.
R15 ECO
- Operating Weight: 3,186 lb
- Engine: Kubota D722
- Max. Dig Radius: 10 ft. 9 in.
- Max. Dig Depth: 5 ft. 11 in.
R18 Pro
- Operating Weight: 4,008 lb
- Engine: Kubota D902
- Max. Dig Radius: 13 ft. 1 in.
- Max. Dig Depth: 8 ft. 7 in.
To reduce transportation costs, customers can choose to pick up the machine themselves from Rippa’s distribution centers in Louisa, Virginia, or Houston, Texas. Machines can also be delivered to authorized dealers. Multiple payment methods are available including Alibaba, PayPal, letter of credit and credit card.
Rippa says its machines are backed by a comprehensive quality control process — from incoming material inspection and production process monitoring to a finished product inspection and ongoing factory inspections.
All machines come with a 30-day return window, a 5-year/5,000-hour warranty on new machines and 24/7 technical support. Rippa says it has eight overseas warehouses with 99.5% parts availability.
Rippa also manufactures and distributes full-size excavators, wheel loaders, compact utility loaders, forklifts, skid steers, compact track loaders, backhoes and attachments.
To see all of the products and technologies unveiled at ConExpo 2026, check out our show coverage page here.
